Conceptual model of resilience of problematic urban fabrics and social factors affecting health with an emphasis on the acupuncture approach and vulnerability in border cities
Social Determinants of Health,
Vol. 11 (2025),
1 Dey 2025
,
Page 1-11
https://doi.org/10.22037/sdh.v11i1.50066
Abstract
Background: Uncontrolled population growth, urban sprawl, economic inequality, and unbalanced development have intensified challenges in deteriorated urban areas. Urban acupuncture—a low-cost, localized strategy—targets specific “pressure points” to stimulate broader improvements. By enhancing social, institutional, and infrastructural capacities, it strengthens community participation, governance, and essential services, thereby increasing resilience. In border cities, where vulnerabilities and resource constraints are high, urban acupuncture can effectively promote adaptive capacity and support sustainable urban transformation
Methods: This study is qualitative in nature and follows Morse’s "Parallel Single-Method" typology, chosen because it allows simultaneous exploration of both theoretical constructs and empirical evidence. Data were collected through documentary studies and semi-structured interviews. Analysis was conducted concurrently using meta-synthesis to develop the theoretical framework and content analysis to extract empirical components, supported by NVivo software. This approach enables a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon by integrating conceptual insights with real-world observations.
Results: Based on qualitative analysis, an initial conceptual model of resilience was developed comprising three core dimensions: "Governance," "Social Equity," and "Physical-Historical." Further content analysis of interviews led to the coding of 528 references, from which 22 primary codes and 8 central categories were identified. According to the results, the final model of resilience of dysfunctional fabrics was presented with an emphasis on the acupuncture approach and vulnerability in border cities, and based on the star seed model.
Conclusion: The urban acupuncture approach presents an effective, targeted, and cost-efficient strategy for enhancing resilience in deteriorated urban fabrics. The proposed model offers practical applicability for urban planners to facilitate site-specific interventions and strengthen resilience capacities in vulnerable urban environments.
- City Planning
- Resilience, Parallel Single-Method
- Psychological
- Urban Acupuncture
- Urban Renewal
How to Cite
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